gross



A. GROSS.

DRY PIPE VALVE.

APPucATxoN FILED Nov. 2. 19.14.

Patented uly 29, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l A /A//I A. J. GROSS.

DRY PIPE VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 2.1914.

1,31 1,388, Patented July 29, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES .PATENT OFFICE.

ALLAN J. Gnoss, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, Assieivon. rro JoHNLL.. KENNEDY,- or CHICAGO,

, Y ILLrivois. i Y

DRY-PIPE VALVE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 29, 1919.

Application filed November 2, 1914. Serial No. 869,948.

and particularly in the systems known as dry pipe systems, to beplaced in the `water supply pipe, the .pressure of 'the water against the" valve being opposed by an air pressure within the system. has among Vits objects the production of a device of the kind described that issimple, compact, durable, efficient and satisfactory, which is positive in action, and which will be operative at. all times out of order. It particularly has among its objects the production of a new and novel mechanism for locking the valve open, and preventing its closing at any point between the closed position and wide open position. It has also among its objects the production of a device in which there may bean unobstructed flow of water through the system, and one in which stones or other foreign materials cannot lock the valve against open- Q Among other objects Vis the production ing. ofa device ofthe kind described with a simple andreliable alarm controlling device for indicating an abnormal condition at the valve. Other objects and. advantages of the Construction willappear to those skilledin the art from the disclosure made herein.

To this end my invention consists inthe novel construction, arrangement and more particularly pointed out in the claims.y

In the drawings,

characters indicate like or corresponding parts,

Figure 1 is a sectional view of my `improved valve, taken substantially on line 1, 1 of Fig. 3; A

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the alarm controlling device shown in Fig. 1. Y

Fig 3 is a sectional viewtaken substantially on line 3, 3 of Fig. 1, and Fig'. 4 is a sectional view tially on line 4, 4 of'FigsflA and 3. Y Referring 'to the drawings, 'in which the hand hole 5, as shown.l

letfon'the inner side of the part 4 is a valve seat 6, preferably of bronze or other mate-k like. Thevalve 7 is The invention Aing a valve part.

and will not get and combination of parts herein shown and described,

operating face of the valve 7 the upper wawherein like reference being known as the neutral chamber.

mostvclearly shownin F ig. 1, a main drain outlet may be provided as at 14, or at some vother suitable point. The purposeE of the to permit the' draining taken sub stanpreferred form of my device is shown, 1v represents a suitable casing provided with an inlet 2 and outlet 3. As shown, inlet 2 is formed-in a separable casing end 4, suitably secured to the casing inl any desired manner. The casing is preferably provided with a Arranged to coa valve .17,

rial that will not corrode. operate with the'valve seat 6 is which is also preferably lconstructed ofnon- Y such as bronze 'or the formed with a iiange 8 carries a ring 9, form- The ring 9 is preferably of flexible material, rubber being found very satisfactory for the purpose.v The same is in the form .of a ring and maintained in position on the flange 8 by a ring 12,.suitably secured in. place. The exiblevalve member 9 is arranged to seat ona valve seat 10 ar-v ranged at the end ofthe extension 11 on corrodible material,

thereabout, which the vpart 4. As shown,.thevalve seats 6 and 10 are formedseparablefrom theparts 4 and 11, so that they maybe renewed` from! time to time should occasion require. vIn addition this construction permits'the seats to be made of non-corrodible material, while l the casing parts may be made of cheaper of any suitable material, I prefer to use tin for that purpose. rI`he .valve member 7 is carried by an armor lever 15, which is suitably pivotally secured to the casing. In the preferredgconstruction I adjustably secure the valve 7 to the lever 15by a bolt 17 and spring 18, or equivalent means.

In practice the uppery face of valve seat 6 is called thelower water seat, and the coter seat., The seat 10 is termed the air seat and the chamber 13 between the two seats As `main drain outlet is of the system, the water beingf piped away in any Asuitable manner.

The casing 1 is extendedat one side as at Arranged at the inmaterial. .While the ring'lO may be made 20, one side 21 of the extension being preferably detachable and secured in place in an' ldesired manner. It will be noted byerr'ng tevv Figs. faifrcilf` 4 that the part 20 iid ' of the'lever 15, which ofthe part 20,

part 19 is` acounterbalance ance,

forms or contains ay cha1nber, thesame beingl separated from the interior of the main casingfby'the partitions 22'and Y Arranged within the chamber formed-by the extending part is a shaft or support 16, which is supported at its ends 'by part 22 of the casing and the extending bracket 24,` or the equivalent (seeFig. `14)'. noted by referring to Figs. 3 and 4, that a pair of bearing rings 16 each end of the shaft 16. lThe wall 22' is also provided with an opening, through which the shaft 1 6 may be removed as de sired. The openingis normallyk closed by a plug 20. Secured on shaft 16 is the end in the construction shown' is provided with chamber formed walls 22, 23, part 26, having (see Fig. 1). corrodible material, as thelip27 isV prefera'bly of non-corrodible material.

formed with an extending' or terminating in a lip 27 member 28,

.the same being formed of suitable material and providedwith an arm 29, having. its .Y lower end formed as at 30 for attachmentto I form 28 substantially V cup-shaped and fill the recess with lead 31, or thel like. This af Weight tothe counterbaland yet its size is minimum.V Carried by thelip 27, and arranged to cooperate. lstrut 32,..

fords considerable therewith, is a locking lmember o r having its lower end 32 formed with a groove or recess' arranged t0 sea-t on the -lip 27. Of cours interehanged 32 are shown connected by a web or arm 33, and may be provided with a chamber, to-

be filled with lead 34 to inereasethe Weight of the same. its outer end or face85 preferably formed to substantially with a liningor1 face 36 of non-corrodible material.- In constructing the device, it may.

be mentioned that the center of curvature of the cylindrical face 36 is preferably the center `of the shaft 16. The locking member 32 being mounted or arranged olf the center, or eccentric, forms a brake, looking the valve Y vagainst closing, as will be more fully described hereafter. The chamber in part 20 is provided with an outlet, normally closed by a plug 3 8, the purpose of the same beingv hereafter described.

I have sho-wn part 4 provided with a drip outlet 39. lThe purpose 0f the drip outlet is so that anywater that may seep through between the valve 7 and seat 6 may escape,

the accumulation of wav and the saine also Ihave shown means for automatically controlling this outlet It will be are arranged at l @wines 48 and 4.

the wa1122. The

he part 26 be of non- Secured to 1 e theY groove and lip may be-V if desired. The parts 32 and' The member or strut 32 has conformwith the innerface Y which is preferably. provided is preferably placed in the ter in Ythe chamber and anydpressure therefrom 0n the underside of the valve, serves as an alarm port.v

and controlling an alarm when the same is operated under abnormal' conditions. Referring particularly to Figs. -1 an'd-2,-acasing 40 is secured to part 4 at the outlet drip 39, the same Ibeing formed with a'valve seat`v41j. Positionedl within the 4easing and arranged to cooperate with the Y valve 42 having a. stem 45,

legs V valve seat 41 isa the valve lbeing Y provided with.

guiding The stop, k44 may be arranged as shown to ,limit,the upward move-` ment of the valve, ifl so desired. v'The valve is 'normally maintainedopen Iby `va counter balance member orlever 48,'sup'ported onja part 47, carried by lthe easing 4 0, ortho equivalent.` The p art48 hasanextension 49 soV arranged to cooperate with the-,bottom ,of Y,

the valve, and is formed with a shoulder 50,

lwhich cooperating Y with the casing40, limmemberI 48 on its sup-Y its the movement of port and supports 4the Vvalve 42 at the desired position. i' f i The vpart 4 8 is suitably chambered, and arranged thereinis apart 5 1 of suitable material provided with a'cliamber 52, the part 51 being maintained in position by the plug o r closure -53, .or ,equivalent means.` Contacts 54 and 5,5 'suitablyr connected with`v conductors 56Y and 5 7, which connect lwith a suitable sourceof energy, and alarm devices arranged where desired, are extended within the chamber 52. In order to bridge the con-k tacts 54 and 55 upon movement rof member 48 when the valve is closed, I place a suitable quantity.- of mercury 58, or its equivalent, withinthe chamber 52. `As is obvious,

when the valve isdepressed the,mercury is opposite en dof the chamber 52, bridging closing the'circuit thereat.

The operation of the valve and allied parts may bebriefly described, as follows: Assuming that the valve and partsv are in tlie'positions `showngIf air is placed in the system end ofthe device, 4filling the chamber and thecasingabove the valve, the Vpressure lforces the valve down upon its seat 6, as well as forcingthe part 9 upon the seat 10.V lIt may be mentioned thatwater` may be, and casing above the valve, so as to form a water seal before air pressure is applied in the system. The ad- ]ustable connection between the valveV and ,lever 15 permits the valve 7 to malte the nalamovement toseat upon 6 without moving the lever. Any water that lseep's or passes past the seat 6 is discharged lthrough the outlet 39. Should there be a sudden` rush of water for any reason whatever, either caused by the opening of the valve 7 or by excessive leakage, the same will close thervalve 42, at the same time c losingthe alarm circuit, signaling t0 wherever `desired that the Vvalve 4t2 has been closed and that the systemis not in itsnOrmal condition. Assuming that this has been caused .by the valve opening, -owing to the reduction inithe air pressure in the system due to the opening ofthe sprinklerheads caused by a fire; The airpressure being reduced, valve 7 opens to admit water to the system. If the valve 7 was not locked open or prevented `from closing when the column vof water above the valve was of sutlicient weight to be greater than thewater pressure at the inlet 2, the columnof water would securely maintain it closed `if the valve closed. Y With my device, however, as the valve. opens, the lip 27 through the lever 1 5 and sleeve' 19`r is dropped, at vthe lsame locking l member ment.' It will lbe noted that the more pressure on the valve Athe greater `the thrust .of

thelocking member against the face 36; in other words, the greater the pressurethe more positivethe lock. The lockingmember is operative at any, movement ofV the valve from' its closed po-V .tant, as with this improved locking mechanism there can be no chattering ofthe valve,

as it isfree to move Vonly in the'opening dil;-

finechanism for automatically locking the, fvalve against a closing movement at. any

rection.y It will be 'noted by referring to Fig. .l that when the valve is in its open p0- sition there is an unobstructed ilow of water the casing and outv from the .inlet through through the outlet.

VThe locking mechanism being` substan chamber, and inclosed,

tially in a separate cannot be rendered inoperative by stones or foreign rmaterial getting .between the parts fand locking them against operation.

Inthis connectionrit may the opening 2 5 may be made :ofsuch a size as to somewhat closely Alit the sleeve 19 gumming up ofthe parts. f, Y To reseat theV valve the water supply yis shutoff and water drawn off the system and-yet avoidany chance for corrosion or through main drain valve opening 14. TheA plug .38 is nextvremovedto allow water in theflocking chamber to be drawn oli, then the covers 5 and'21 are removed, exposing locking lever and counterweight. The operator Athen by pushing back the valve 7 against rear wall of casing, releases the locking member 32, which may then bepicked up andjcarried back to its normal Vposition alonggwithjvalve plate 7.' 'After the valve has beentreseated the hand hole 'platell time permitting the or strut 32to drop Vthe en. Y tire strut, including the braking ace 35 to engage with `the face 36, the Vvalve againsta closing move- 'Y point :during the by Letters .Patent is sition u ntil it 'is wide open. This is imporsaid Vmechanism f member into locking 1 with the stationary part. besmentioned that part.

bolted on and air under pressure suppliedl in any" suitable manner. It will be noted thatwith this construction of locking mechanism'therel is, substantially onlyone locking member or part which is carried by the sleeve of the valve lever, and no springs orthe like controlling the locking which are aptto be rendered ineffective by corrosion.r The face and face 36 or' the casing being of non-corrodible material, there is no tendency atany time for the parts to stick:` and become inoperative. While the locking mechanism inthe valve shown is arranged to lock' the valve open, it might, or course, in some constructions be employed Y to lockthe valve closed this being merely a reversal of theconstructions shown, and woulddepend upon lthe use to which Vthe valve wouldbe put.

VAHaving'thus described my inventi on, ity is obvious that variousV immaterial .modifications maybe made in thesame without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the eXact form, construction, arrangement or combination of'partsY herein shown and described and uses mentioned.

What I claim as new anddesire to secure l. ,In a dry pipe valve ofthe kind described, the combination cfa casing provided with an inlet and outlet, a valve controlling the passage lof fluid through the'casing, and

point throughout its opening movement,

amovable locking -memb'er, and a connec-V tion vbetween the valve and locking member whereby movement oi' the valve towardV closed .position acts ,to pressV the .locking 2; In a. dry pipe valve of the kind de? scribed, the combination `or" a casing pro.- vided withan inlet and-outlet, aivalve controlling the passage of Huid through thev casing, and lockingx'means for they valve v including a stationary part,

rictional engagement comprisingfastationary part, al movable lockingmember, and an eccentric connec# tion between the valve and locking member whereby ymovement of the valve toward closed position acts to Vpress the locking member into engagement with the stationary 3,'11'1 adry pipe valve o the kind described, the combination of, a ,casingpro-rv vided with an inlet Vand outlet, a valve con'- trolling'the passage of iiuid vthrough "the casing, and locking mea-ns for the valve com-V pricing astationary part, a movable lock-1 ward closed the valve and strut and locking member 4. In a dry pipe valve of theikind de-V scribed, the combination of a casing provided with an yinlet and outlet, a valve supported for pivotal movement and controlling the .passage of liuid through the casing, and locking means for the valve com-` prising astationary part, a strut, and an eccentric connectionl between the strut and valve whereby kmovement of the valve toposition acts to press the strutv into looking engagement with the stationary part'. Y

5. 'In aV dry pipe valve of the kind described, thecombination `of a casing provided with aninlet and outlet, a valve supported for ling the passage of fluid through the casing, and locking means for the valve comprising a stationary part having'a curved face, a strut, and an eccentric connection between at Vone end thereof whereby movement of the valve toward closed position acts to force the other end of the strut into locking engagement with the stationary part. 16; In a dry pipe valve of the kind described and in combination, a casing, a valve arranged therein for controlling the passage of'fluid through the casing, and controlling means for said valve, comprising an arm y operatively connected with said valve, means for pivotally supporting said arm, means for counterbalancing said and travel of the ing thereof Yafter the same is opened, said means comprising a locking member operatively connected with said arm, and arranged to suitably engage a portion 7.In a device of the kind in combination, a casing provided with an inlet and outlet, a valve arrangedwithin said casing for controlling the passage of fluid therethrough, controlling means for said valve, comprising an arm operatively connected with the valve. at one end and pivotally supported by the casing at the other end, a sleeve connected with said arm,

a locking member carried by said sleeve, said locking member arranged to operatively en'- gage the casing wall upon movement fof the valve in a predetermined direction.

8. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a casing provided with a plurality of chambers, one a suitable inlet and outlet, a valve arranged therein and arranged to control the passage of fluid through the casing, means for securing said valve to the casing, comprising toggle connection be.-

of the valve towardV vided with a plurality o'f pivotal movement and control# closure th the casing,

arm and valve,

means operative at any point in theY valve for preventing the closof the casing. described and A chamber having an arm adjustably secured Vthereto andl pivotally supported within thev casing, said arm provided 'witha part connected thereto eX-V tending into an adjacent chamber, a clutch member, means carried by said arm part forsupporting lsaid locking member, Y said lock'- ing memberarran'ged to frietionally engage the chamber` wallupon movement of the valve and arm in one directionr The combination in a Vdevice of .the kind described Yof a casing, body part with a` detachableclosure vfor one end suitably securedV thereto, with an inlet therethroughysfaid part proagainst move- Y valve seats; aV

comprising a1- 4 e0 `and provided.`

valve membersuit'ably formed to cooperate Y with said seats, an arm pivotally supported within the casingat-one end, andlsecured at its opposite end to lthe valve member, an arm arranged 'atfsaid' pivoted end at one side thereof provideol with a sitablyrformed lip'l at the end thereof, l havingYV OI'ie end loosely carried by'y said lip, and the opposite end formed to operatively engagewith ag portion 'of the casing wall upon movement of the-valve andv arm in one direction. A

1` Y 1o; in; a device i aie rind 'deseaba-d' and `in combination, a casing provided with aV therein, and with a plurality of f chambers separable closurey 'for' each fchamber, one' V' chamber provided withA an inlet through the erefor, andl withan outlet through plurality of locking Inem'bery vsaidclsure I'iro'vided with a valve seats on the inner side: Y

thereof,`a .valve arranged to'coperate with i said valve seats,- a shaft arranged within the casing, an arm pivotally mounted on er said said arm having 'its free end suitably secured to' theval've and provided with a sleeve at the v I shaft end extending into an'adjacent chamber, a portion of .the wall'. of the casing lip and provided thereat, ja looking 11o l `within said.V chamber formed with a cyiiniiricai face, with its a face at one end arranged f to o'pera- Y prising-a suitable casingprovided with an oi'st portion at'v one side' having a parti'- tion dividingvthe same into two chambers, a valvemember arranged in the casing, an arm secured to and extending.' from said valve member to one of said chambers, a part secured to said arm and projecting through said partition into said other cham- Y ber,- a locking member arranged to eoperate with said part and to engage a portion of the Wall of the chamber on movement of said valve in a predetermined direction. 12. The combination in a device of the kind described of a easing formed With a valve chamber, and With a chamber adjacent thereto, a valve member arranged in said valve chamber, and said valve member provided with a rotatable part suitably connected thereto and extended into said chamber adjacent the valve chamber, a lookin member arranged in said chamber, sai

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the locking member consisting of a strut arranged at one end for cooperation With said art and means for enffao'ino' the other end 15 7 2D C h ALLAN J. GROSS.

Witnesses:

ROY W. HILL, CHARLES I. COBB.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). 0. 

